Fuel Storage and Concerns

Storing and transferring fuel requires special attention and care. OSHA has specific guidelines to ensure employees are properly trained and use quality equipment when handling fuel. HMC Gas Caddy's are designed to limit the risk of fire. The HMC GC-30 Gas Caddy units limit exposure to flammable vapors via Fire Arrestors, have Non-Sparking unit to ground components, and our manual transfer pump is composed Aluminum and a Specially developed Rotor & Vane Set. In addition the HMC GC-30 Gas Caddy is a fully welded 14 Gauge Steel Container that is pressure tested to 5 lbs. over a 15 minute period to ensure zero leaks when it leaves our factory.

The Fire Triangle

Understanding the Fire Triangle will help you have a solid understanding of fuel combustion. Proper education and training helps limit exposure to fire.Flammable liquids are volatile in nature; they tend to evaporate readily under normal atmospheric conditions. The evaporation rate increases if the liquids are located in a warmer area, or hear a heat source. As flammable liquids evaporate and mix with the surrounding air, a condition may arise where the vapors generated can be ignited. If ignition of the vapors occurs, the heat of the flame results in increased generation of flammable vapors, further fueling the flame.

In order for a flammable liquids fire to occur, three key elements must be present: FUEL * OXYGEN * HEAT. These three elements are often graphically represented as the "Fire Triangle".

FUEL: Provided by the flammable liquid vaporsOXYGEN: Provided by the surrounding airHEAT: Provided by an external ignition source

DEFINITIONS:

Flash Point: The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air immediately above the liquid surface.

Flammable Liquid: A liquid having a flash point below 100°F. and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 PSIA. Flammable Liquid Vapors: The gaseous state of a substance that is liquid under normal conditions.

Explosive Range: The range (in percent) between the lowest point, below which there is not sufficient concentration of vapors in the air to permit propagation of a flame upon contact with an ignition source, and the highest point above which there is too great a concentration of vapors in the air to permit propagation of a flame. These upper and lower boundary line mixtures are termed the explosive limits and are usually stated as a percentage by volume of vapor in air.

Ignition Temperature: The minimum temperature at which a flammable mixture of vapors will ignite.

Flash Arrestor Technology

In the late nineteenth century experiments proved that, under certain conditions, flames fueled by flammable vapors would not propagate through a series of small diameter, elongated tubes placed side by side. Experimentation showed that effective protection against the propagation of a flame occurred even if the length of the tubes was shortened, with the condition that the diameter of the openings were also reduced. This simple principle lead to the development of today's efficient mechanical flash arrester.

The HMC flash arresters used on our GC-Series Gas Caddy's are manufactured from light gauge perforated metal. The metal gauge (thickness) and the size and location of the perforations are carefully chosen to ensure an effective protection against flame propagation. They provide a barrier to flame passage from one side of the arrester to the other while allowing liquids and vapors to pass through the perforations. How does this work? The flash arrester absorbs and dissipates heat generated by the flame, preventing vapors on the protected side to not reach their ignition temperature.

Safety Practices

Obvious and Clear Labels and Instructions

No Smoking Signage should be anywhere and everywhere you, visitors, and employees can see them. Signs are cheap and just may prevent that one idiot from walking into your area where the Gas Caddy is being used.

Label your Gas Caddy

Gas Caddy's are used for multiple combustible fluids....see the HMC approved uses. Therefore, be sure to label your Gas Caddy appropriately. If you decide to change your Caddy's use, clean and wash out the Caddy completely and re-label according to the new liquid.If your label has been damaged or you have changed uses, give us a call to get a new contents decal.

Ventilation

Your work area should be well vetilated. Work with your HMC Gas Caddy outside if possible.

Have the Right Fire Extinguishers Readily Available

Keep multiple Fire Extinguishers nearby. Be sure the Fire Extinguishers are labeled properly and you have the appropriate extinguisher for the liquid held in your HMC Gas Caddys.

Educated and trained users

Be sure whoever uses the HMC GC-Series Gas Caddy is well trained and informed with the proper skills.